Parker And Wardley Emerge In High Stakes Pay-Per-View Showdown

Originally, this column was intended and scheduled to preview two separate pay-per-view main events scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 25th. As some Boxing fans know, what was intended has obviously had to change due to the cancellation of the scheduled WBC World Jr. Middleweight championship bout between champion Sebastian Fundora and former World Welterweight champion Keith Thurman, which was due to headline a pay-per-view card promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters and streamed through digital streaming entertainment and subscription platform Prime Video, being cancelled due to a hand contusion suffered by Fundora while in training for the bout. While as of this writing, the plan appears for that bout to be rescheduled as soon as possible, there remains one pay-per-view main event to take place on October 25th that will now be the sole subject of this writing, which could and should have ramifications the the Heavyweight division moving into 2026.

This observer is referring to the bout between former WBO World Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and the undefeated Fabio Wardley in a scheduled twelve round fight that will headline a pay-per-view card at the O2 Arena in London, England and can be seen worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View. What makes this encounter interesting beyond it being a battle between two of the top Heavyweights in the division, which alone often is enough to draw interest is this fight presents a rarity as well that primarily due to the politics that be in the sport of Boxing and multiple sanctioning organizations, you rarely see. Two fighters, each with a number one mandatory ranking with an interim championship designation, putting their respective standings on the line. In this case in order to attempt to secure a fight with the undefeated two-time Undisputed World Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Parker, who has been at or near the top of the Heavyweight division for most of the last decade is a one time WBO World Heavyweight champion, and after some ups and downs over the years, has worked his way back to the number one contender position in the same organization. A testament to perseverance that cannot be dismissed. Although seemingly on a career high minus the ultimate goal of regaining a world title, Parker, who has had to contend with his fair share of power punching sharks in the waters of the Heavyweight division will be tasked with facing one more in his hopes to secure another world title opportunity in the form of unbeaten “Knockout Artist” Fabio Wardley.

Wardley, who will come into this fight with a near 95% career knockout percentage, will enter as the WBA’s top contender. With a record of 19-0-1, with 18 Knockouts, few have been able to withstand the punching power Wardley has in either hand. This presents the classic scenario of a fighter noted for his ability to end fights quickly, going against a more seasoned and more experienced opponent at this level of competition.

It is not a scenario that the former world champion Parker, who will enter the bout with a record of 36-3, with 24 Knockouts, is unfamiliar. Some may recall his fights against Anthony Joshua, Joe Joyce, and Zhilei Zhang, three noted “Knockout Artists,” in which Parker suffered two losses out of those three fights. What is revealing, however, is Parker has only been stopped once in his three defeats and that was at the hands of Joe Joyce in September 2022. Parker was competitive in all three of his losses and was ahead on all three scorecards when Joyce was able to catch up to him in the eleventh round of that fight.

In thinking of how this fight might be fought from Parker’s perspective, I thought of two fights that might be similar, that he was successful and dominant in winning. Two opponents that stylistically are similar to Wardley in being “Knockout Artists” that come forward and can knock an opponent out with either hand. Yours truly is referring to his bouts with the aforementioned Zhilei Zhang and before that encounter, his bout against former WBC Heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder. Two fights that took place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2023 and 2024 respectfully.

In both fights, Parker used effective lateral movement, footwork, and timing to consistently beat both fights to the punch, often by landing variations of two, three, and four punch combinations and then using his movement to evade before either fighter could return offense consistently. Two performances by Parker, who was viewed as an underdog going into both fights that frankly should be viewed as a masterclass in effective execution by a boxer/puncher. It is an approach that Parker must implement once again in this fight.

Much like Wilder and Zhang, Fabio Wardley is not known for his quickness, but has shown more than once thus far in his career that he can end a fight with one punch if given an opening. One need look no further than Wardley’s last fight in June of this year against previously unbeaten contender Justis Huni. A fight held in rainy conditions in Portman Road Football Ground in Ipswich, England, that was dominated by Huni from the outset, frequently out throwing and outlanding Wardley in seemingly every round and often landing in combination. Huni had particular success in landing flush right hands on Wardley, which is also coincidentally one of Parker's best offensive weapons.

The accumulation of punishment along with the fact that Huni had stepped in and took the fight on short notice along with the bout being held outdoors in rainy conditions seemed to have Wardley at times seemingly on the verge of being stopped due primarily to fatigue. Just as it appeared Huni was about to make a significant shake up in the Heavyweight division, the two fighters exchanged punches midway through the tenth round. Seemingly out of nowhere, Wardley connected with an overhand right that turned certain defeat as he had lost the fight on the scorecards by that point in the bout, into a thrilling come from behind knockout victory.

As great as that knockout was and as accurate a demonstration of the power Wardley has that one can find, if one is objective they would say that Justis Huni put a significant scare into both Wardley and his promoter the Hall of Famer Frank Warren, who is also the promoter of this bout with Parker. To expand a bit further, if one were honest they would say that even though Huni up to the point where he got caught put in a career high performance in that fight, he has limited experience and Joseph Parker is both more experienced, particularly at this level of competition at or near the top of the sport, and is also lighter on his feet than Huni.

The element of danger, however, is very real and Parker must keep in mind here that he can be winning every second of every round and one lapse in focus, leaving even the slightest opening, can end up costing him the fight. Though the circumstances are/were different, Parker found himself in a similar situation as Huni when he fought Joe Joyce in September 2022 in that like Wardley, Joyce, at the time was an unbeaten “Knockout Artist” that Parker hit repeatedly throughout that fight with the type of flush right hands that would end the night for most fighters, let alone Heavyweights and like Huni, Parker seemed to have the fight well under control and winning on points when Joyce was able to catch him and knock him out. A possibility certainly exists here that a similar scenario could happen where by all accounts and without a question of doubt, Parker could find himself in control and winning every aspect of the combat. Parker knows what happened to him against Joyce and he needs to be aware not to get overly aggressive where he might be vulnerable again to being caught. Even if a scenario presents itself where he might be able to score a knockdown, he must be tactical at all times and until the final bell or a potential stoppage, approach Wardley with caution.

The approach for Fabio Wardley is both simple and complex. He needs to try and cut the ring off from Parker and try to limit his ability to move and use angles, but must also pace himself in doing so. A problem that fighters, as I have often said over the last thirty years I have covered Boxing and by extension other combat sports, that are known for their punching power is they can fall into a false sense of security in thinking that their power will be enough to get the job done every time they enter the ring and as a result, neglect developing other facets of their game in terms of tactics, strategy, the ability to pace themselves, and develop an overall well-rounded skillset, which more often than not tends to have negative effects long-term on their careers. Wardley did succeed in saving himself from defeat in his last fight, but he may not be as fortunate if he finds himself in a similar hole on the scorecards in this fight.

Whether or not the winner of this fight gets a title shot against Oleksandr Usyk, or due to the unique circumstances of this encounter, ends up potentially emerging as a unified world champion depending on what Usyk decides to do, remains to be seen. These are the types of fights, however, that I tend to look forward to more than most not only from a stylistic standpoint, but when you also throw into the equation that anything can happen, which is especially true when it comes to Heavyweights, it sparks interest. We will see if it's Parker or Wardley that comes out on top. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

Parker vs. Wardley takes place on Saturday, October 25th at the O2 Arena in London, England. The fight as well as it's undercard can be seen worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View at 1:30PM ET/10:30AM PT for $59.99. (*North American times and pricing only.*)

(*Card and start times Subject to Change.*)

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times and pricing in your area, to subscribe and order this pay-per-view event please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison      

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1     

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1   

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1  

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/beaudenison1.bsky.social 

Juarez Retains Women's WBC World Flyweight Championship With Decision Over Nery Plata

Credit: Harry Aaron/Most Valuable Promotions 

Press Release: October 19, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions - SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX – October 18, 2025 – In a thrilling and tightly contested ten-round world championship bout, Mexico’s WBC light flyweight world champion Lourdes “La Pequeña Lulu” Juarez (39-4, 5 KOs) successfully retained her title, earning a majority decision victory over MVP’s Yesica Nery Plata (30-3, 3 KOs)—the division’s #1 WBA contender and former unified champion—at Most Valuable Prospects 16 Championship Double Header from the South Padre Island Convention Center in Texas, streamed globally on DAZN. From the opening bell, the action was razor-close, with both champions trading sharp, clean combinations in a technical chess match. Juarez was briefly shoved in round seven but remained composed, matching Plata’s precision and pace through every exchange. After ten high-level rounds, the judges scored the bout 95-95, 96-94x2 in favor of Juarez, who retained her WBC light flyweight world title. Speaking with Sibley Scoles post-fight, Juarez thanked her supporters and praised Plata’s strength and performance in what was one of the night’s most competitive showdowns.

 

In the co-main event, Brownsville, Texas native Omar “El Relámpago” Juarez (20-2, 7 KOs) showcased his superior skill and ring IQ against Caguas, Puerto Rico’s Omar “The New Era” Rosario (14-3, 4 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight clash at 140 lbs. The opening rounds were competitive, with both men trading crisp combinations, but Juarez quickly established himself as the sharper, more composed fighter. As the bout wore on, Juarez’s precision and timing broke down Rosario’s defense, and a late point deduction against Rosario further cemented Juarez’s control. After ten rounds, the judges unanimously scored it for Juarez (99-89x2, 97-91), marking a dominant and decisive victory.

On the main card, MVP’s Australian unified world champion Desley “Destroyer” Robinson (11-3, 4 KOs) lived up to her nickname, obliterating South Carolina’s Logan Holler (11-4-1, 4 KOs) to successfully defend her unified IBF and WBO middleweight world titles. Making her promotional debut with MVP, Robinson wasted no time asserting her dominance—unleashing a barrage of heavy combinations in the second round that shattered Holler’s defense and left her unable to continue. The referee stopped the contest at 1:08 of the 2nd round, declaring Robinson the winner by TKO and still the unified IBF and WBO middleweight world champion. The clinical display from the reigning champion earned Robinson the MVP Performance of the Night bonus presented by Caribe Royale.

Opening the main card, Boxlab Promotions’ rising 21-year-old Cuban standout Ronny Alvarez (5-0, 4 KOs) faced 26-year-old San Antonio prospect Bruno Pola (10-4-1, 9 KOs). Pola found early success with powerful combinations, but Alvarez adjusted and began to take control as the fight progressed, leveraging his explosive power to break down Pola. The referee stopped the contest at 2:28 in the fifth round, awarding Alvarez the victory by TKO. 

In a contentious preliminary card headliner, MVP and Dallas, Texas’s Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (15-5-1, 2 KOs) battled MVP’s Puerto Rican sensation Krystal Rosado (7-1, 2 KOs) in an 8-round bout at 118lbs. The former world champion Metcalf leveraged her longer reach to keep Rosado at distance in the early rounds, outlanding Rosado in power punches, while Rosado impressed with sharp, clean counters. After eight hard-fought rounds, the judges rendered a unanimous decision in favor of Metcalf (77-75, 78-74x2). 

Also on the preliminary card, MVP’s three-time U.S. National Champion and high-fashion model Alex “Chop Chop” Chaparro (6-0, 6 KOs) impressed once again, stopping Mexico’s David “El Verdugo” Gutierrez (4-1, 2 KOs) by TKO. Chaparro dictated the pace from the opening bell against the unorthodox Gutierrez, brushing off an illegal shot to the back of the head in round two before nearly scoring a knockout in the fifth. He closed the fight in emphatic fashion, overwhelming Gutierrez with a brutal combination, finishing with a ferocious uppercut at 0:25 of round six that sent Gutierrez to the mat for good. In an eight-round super lightweight showdown, Houston’s Miranda “La Alacrana” Reyes (8-3-1, 3 KOs) delivered a statement win over MVP’s Yolanda Vega (10-2, 1 KO). Reyes established her dominance with crisp combinations to outperform Vega, who suffered a dislocated shoulder early in the bout, and earn a unanimous decision win (79-73, 80-72x2).

In one of the night’s most explosive bouts, Boxlab Promotions’ and Brownsville, Texas’s undefeated Sebastian Juarez (10-0, 8 KOs) put on a blistering display against Ft. Worth, Texas’s Demarcus Layton (10-8-1, 7 KOs). Despite an early knockdown from Layton and two point deductions for holding, Juarez rebounded to knock down Layton twice with devastating power before the referee halted the action at 2:59 of the first round, awarding Juarez the TKO win. Also on the preliminary card, Boxlab Promotions’ 21-year-old Cuban prospect Pedro Veitia (6-0-1, 6 KOs) and 19-year-old Mexican prospect Xavier Zuniga (4-0-1, 3 KOs) battled through six competitive rounds in a 154 lbs super welterweight bout, ending in a hard-fought split draw (60-54, 58-56, 57-57). Kicking off the night, Mission, Texas’s Edgar “Rocky” Rosales (6-0, 2 KOs) extended his undefeated streak with an impressive unanimous decision win (40-36, 39-37x2) over Harlingen, Texas’s Reggie Ray Martinez (6-1-1, 1 KO) in a 4-round lightweight bout at 135 lbs. 

Most Valuable Prospects 16 is promoted by MVP and distributed globally by DAZN. The 16th event in the series, in partnership with Boxlab Promotions, continued the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drinks, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, TORKLAW, Caribe Royale Resort, and Event Tickets Center also joined on to sponsor Most Valuable Prospects 16.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize returns for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano, in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head-to-head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of the Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet, and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com. 

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions/ Photo Courtesy of: Harry Aaron/Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

BREAKING: Fundora-Thurman Postponed

It has been announced that the October 25th pay-per-view card headlined by a bout between WBC Jr. Middleweight world champion Sebastian Fundora defending his title against former WBA Welterweight world champion Keith Thurman, which was scheduled to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV and streamed on Prime Video has been postponed due to a hand injury suffered by the champion. It has also been reported by noted Boxing journalist Mike Coppinger, currently of Ring Magazine that the scheduled co-main event, a WBC World Jr. Lightweight championship bout between between champion O'Shaquie Foster and former Jr. Featherweight world champion Stephen Fulton, will also be rescheduled.

The Fundora-Thurman card was one of two scheduled pay-per-view cards to take place on October 25th. As of this writing, the other event headlined by former WBO World Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker facing top contender Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena in London England, which will be streamed on digital sports streaming network DAZN as a pay-per-view add-on separate from it's subscription-based model, remains on as scheduled. 

We will keep readers updated on when the Fundora-Thurman card will be rescheduled as those details become available.

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison      

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1      

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1   

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1 

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/beaudenison1.bsky.social 

Ennis Takes On IBO World Champion Lima In Jr. Middleweight Debut

It goes almost without saying nowadays that unless a fighter is a natural Heavyweight, most fighters that make it to the world championship level and achieve that goal, tend to set their sights on multiple weight classes in search of more world championship gold as well as and perhaps more specifically, bigger paydays. In the case of Jaron Ennis, an undefeated World Welterweight champion, who seemed poised to take over the 147lb. Welterweight division in the era immediately following the exit of Terence Crawford, the division’s last undisputed world champion, he has made the decision to move up in weight rather than trying to complete the unification process at Welterweight after successfully unifying the IBF and WBA world titles with a sixth round stoppage of previously unbeaten WBA world champion Eimantas Stanionis in April of this year. Despite the potential to add his name next to Crawford and other notable legends like Sugar Ray Leonard and Donald Curry as fighters who went on to claim status as an undisputed world champion during their time atop the Welterweight division, Ennis has instead opted to move up in weight to the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division where he will face current International Boxing Organization (IBO) Jr. Middleweight world champion Uisma Lima on Saturday, October 11th in Ennis' hometown of Philadelphia, PA at the Wells Fargo Center in a scheduled twelve round bout that can be seen worldwide on digital sports subscription streaming network DAZN. Lima, who holds the distinction as the first fighter from Angola to ever hold a world championship, will enter this fight with a record of 14-1, with 10 Knockouts.

Despite holding a world championship that he won in December of last year and has successfully defended it once since then, Lima is largely unknown and basically comes into this encounter with Ennis as a world champion that is under the radar. Lima has scored knockouts of over 70% of his opposition, so the question that looms over this fight will be how Lima, a boxer/puncher will perform against the significantly more experienced and higher profile Ennis, who will come into this bout unbeaten with a record of 34-0, with 30 Knockouts having knocked out 88% of his previous opponents entering this fight.

What is also unknown as this fight approaches is whether the IBO world championship in the Jr. Middleweight division, which Lima currently holds, will be on the line or if this will be a non-title bout scheduled for the world championship distance of twelve rounds. The IBO, which was founded in the late 1980’s and incorporated in the early 1990’s, and is based here in the United States, has struggled for consistent recognition, particularly in this country as a world sanctioning organization, the fifth major world sanctioning organization in the sport. It is an organization, however, that in addition to having many notable fighters and Hall of Famers, male and female hold its world championship in various weight divisions throughout the entire sport, is held in higher regard internationally, which in addition to its computerized-based approach to rankings, can on occasion create a scenario like this where a world champion, who is well-traveled as Lima has been in competing in multiple countries throughout his career, but a fighter who will be competing in the United States for the first time, is regarded as an unknown entity. This observer has been unable to confirm as is this writing as to whether or not the world title Lima holds will indeed be on the line in this bout.

While some who particularly take a more cynical view of sanctioning organizations and choose not to view them as the legitimate entities that they for better or worse are, no matter what happens in this fight, it will have no impact on the IBO’s standing. If, Lima can produce a solid performance, however, it will provide further evidence that just because a fighter may not be what is sometimes referred to as a “Household Name" does not mean they should be taken lightly both by their opponent who might be more well known and by fans, even though in an era increasingly dominated by worldwide streaming, it is becoming harder for fighters to be completely under the radar.

As for what type of fight one can expect when Ennis and Lima square off? Like Jaron Ennis, Uisma Lima is a come forward pressure fighter. What will make this potentially interesting is Lima is a southpaw that is tall, rangy, knows how to control distance well, and often comes forward throwing punches with both hands. The question here might be whether Lima’s physical advantages and offensive approach will be enough against a fighter in Ennis that while he might be moving up in weight, has shown the ability to end a fight with either hand in often brutal fashion. If the power he displayed as a Welterweight is able to carry with him as he moves up in weight, Ennis will be no less dangerous and any opponent will have to approach with caution. We will see what Uisma Lima can do on Saturday, October 11th.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Update: Shortly after completion of this column, it was able to be confirmed that the IBO Jr. Middleweight world championship currently held by Uisma Lima will not be at stake, but the bout is being billed as a final elimination bout in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Jr. Middleweight ratings where the winner will be given Interim/Regular champion status in the WBA rankings. As of this writing, win or lose Lima will still be IBO world champion.

Ennis vs. Lima takes place on Saturday, October 11th at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 5:15 PM ET/2:15 PM with Before The Bell, which will feature preliminary bouts followed by the main card that will begin at 8PM ET/5PM PT. 

(*North American Times Only.*)

(*Card and Start Times Subject to Change*)

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, Availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison      

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1     

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1   

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1 

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/beaudenison1.bsky.social 

Alvarez-Crawford The Biggest Fight of 2025

On September 13th the Boxing world will converge on Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas,NV for the biggest event in the sport of Boxing in 2025 as two-time Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez will make the first defense of his crown since regaining undisputed champion status in May of this year against undefeated multi-division world champion Terence Crawford. An encounter eagerly anticipated and in some ways mythical in the sense of it being a mythical fantasy fight in the minds of fans and experts alike not long ago.

The reason for that is largely rooted in the fact that Crawford, a former four-division world champion, who became undisputed world champion in both the Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight divisions, has only competed as high as the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. While he most recently won the WBO Jr. Middleweight world championship in August of last year with a twelve round decision over previously unbeaten Israel Madrimov, Crawford is at a unique stage in his career that few fighters can claim.

For Crawford is a true rarity in that he has spent his entire career virtually cleaning out every division he has competed in with little resistance from his opposition. This has put him in rarified air as a fighter that feels there is not much more he could accomplish and rightly has earned the right to pick a marquee fight in what could be his final bout of a Hall of Fame career. The choice is arguably the most challenging option, moving up in weight one more time to challenge Alvarez for his undisputed crown.  

What makes this unique and potentially a historic occasion is Crawford, who has only fought as high as the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division only once,  will be moving up fourteen pounds  and two divisions to make the attempt to become the first fighter to become an undisputed world champion in three separate weight classes. When one considers that Cranford began his career as an 135lb. Lightweight, it puts such an attempt in perspective as he will now be competing in a fight thirty-three pounds up the scale from where he began his career. While some may not appreciate that figure, there have only been a few fighters throughout history that have been able to defy conventional wisdom by going up significantly in weight over time and do so successfully. 

The most prominent example in terms of modern times outside of Crawford is the recently returned and also recent inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao, a man who began his career as a 105lb. Strawweight, moved up through multiple divisions becoming Boxing's only eight-division world champion, coincidentally like Crawford, winning a world championship as high as the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. While the styles of Crawford and Pacquiao are different, the similarity between the two is both were and are generational talents that have elevated Boxing. 

As for the man who will be standing in Crawford's way on September 13th, Saul “Canelo" Alvarez has also cemented his legacy as a future Hall of Famer having won world titles in four weight classes and becoming the first fighter in history to fully unify the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division, a distinction that due to the politics that be in the sport, he has accomplished twice.

Despite his accomplishments and being arguably still at the top of his game, some have suggested that Alvarez has shown some signs of decline in recent fights. The basis for this is likely rooted in the fact that Alvarez has not stopped an opponent inside the distance since November 2021 when he knocked out then IBF Super-Middleweight world champion Caleb Plant in the first fight where he became Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion. Outside of a defeat in a failed bid to regain a portion of the World Light-Heavyweight championship to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022, Alvarez has remained atop the Super-Middleweight division. In his last fight, Alvarez regained his undisputed status by scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten IBF world champion William Scull. Although a lopsided victory over an opponent with an amateur style that did not press Alvarez, criticism has remained.

Whether or not the fact that Alvarez, who has gone seven bouts since his last stoppage victory, is a sign of decline is for now a matter of debate. The fact that outside of his loss to a master boxer in Bivol, Alvarez has been able to retain his position atop the Super-Middleweight division by scoring convincing victories that though not ending in knockouts, have been no less convincing is something to also take into consideration. While one would have to go back to his first two fights against Gennady Golovkin in the 160lb. Middleweight division to find fights outside of his most recent loss to Bivol, to find a significant debate over the outcome, (This observer is on record in his stance that Golovkin won both of those bouts that ended in a draw in the first fight and a win for Alvarez in the second encounter) Alvarez’ two losses have all come to fighters regarded as master boxers, Floyd Mayweather and the aforementioned Bivol. 

Although one would have a valid argument to suggest that Terence Crawford, like Mayweather and Bivol is a master boxer with seemingly no flaws having been exposed to this point in his career, the question here should be whether the aspect of weight will be the dominant factor rather than overall skillset and execution that will determine who will win this fight. Despite moving up in weight to challenge Alvarez, Crawford does have two physical advantages going into this encounter. A one inch height advantage at 5’8 and nearly four inches in reach with a 74 inch reach compared to Alvarez’ 70 ½ reach. Where things at least in theory, however, begin to tip more in the champion’s favor is Alvarez began his career as a 147lb. Welterweight, twelve pounds higher than where Crawford began his as a Lightweight. Furthermore, Alvarez has routinely fought and dominated naturally bigger opposition, particularly since he moved into the Super-Middleweight division and also briefly held a World Light-Heaweight championship as well along the way, so those physical advantages Crawford has, though legitimate, likely does not concern the champion. 

How does this fight play itself out? This is a case where it's a true unknown in the sense that both Alvarez and Crawford are both well-rounded boxer/punchers that can do a little of everything, but the perception many fans seem to have is that Cranford has more going for him than Alvarez going into this encounter. This perception could likely be due to the idea that Alvarez has had trouble against fighters considered to be master boxers and at least on paper, this looks to be a similar scenario as Alvarez faced against Mayweather and Bivol. Whether that manifests itself in the ring remains to be seen.  Neither fighter has ever been dropped in their careers so it will be interesting to see what happens if there is a heated exchange of punches and it will be of equal interest to see who will have the edge in hand speed.  One aspect that has not been talked much about, however, is unlike his bouts against Mayweather where he had a disadvantage in terms of major fight experience, and Bivol a master boxer who was also naturally bigger, now this is a little of a reversal in that Alvarez has more than enough experience in fights like this and now is the fighter more experienced competing at heavier weights. The question will be how his skillset and fight plan will match up against Crawford at this stage in his career.

An aspect of this event that also adds to it being the biggest fight of the year is most fights that fit that description are usually reserved for the excuse of the pay-per-view model, something that frankly has been detrimental and to be blunt a cancer to the sport as costs have only gone up over time, frequency of pay-per-view being used also having increased, and digital streaming networks like DAZN, once marketed as a viable alternative to the model with the introduction of a subscription-based model, having found themselves dipping their toes more and more into pay-per-view, that has alienated many subscribers, but this event, which is legitimately the biggest fight on the Boxing calendar will not be on pay-per-view either through independent means or through a network like DAZN. Instead, this fight has the potential to achieve the type of viewership promoters could only dream of via the outdated pay-per-view model, by airing on global digital entertainment streaming network Netflix, with no additional fee attached beyond a Netflix subscription to access the event either live or on demand. 

Following the success of the Tyson-Paul event last November and the all women's Boxing card headlined by the third encounter between future Hall of Famers Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano earlier this year in Madison Square Garden, this event will mark Netflix's third Boxing event and like the previous two, has the potential to draw numbers never reached before for Boxing in the streaming era. While Netflix has invested in single events in the sport to this point that they feel are significant rather than seeking output deals with promoters to provide a consistent schedule, the fact that this fight will show once again the viability of subscription-based models over the inflated, overused, and our dated model of pay-per-view, should be viewed as a positive for the sport. Not only because of it being consumer-friendly, but also, it will put other networks involved in the sport as well as promoters who have continued to insist on pay-per-view, despite increasing evidence that it is no longer embraced by consumers, in the position of needing to both step up their game, but also do so with a model that will be consumer-friendly and will thus allow them to remain competitive in the sport. With the recent news that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Mixed Martial Arts promotion, a promotion that has long had its own subscription-based streaming network UFC Fight Pass, which has allowed subscribers access to the promotion's full library as well as content both live and on demand from other promoters throughout combat sports, but one that has remained on pay-per-view for its numbered events as being the only real stronghold outside of Boxing keeping the model alive, recently signed a $7.7 Billion deal with digital entertainment streaming network Paramount+ to carry all upcoming UFC events including numbered events, which will all be included with a subscription to Paramount+ beginning in 2026 with no additional pay-per-view fees attached, thus moving the promotion fully away from the pay-per-view model, which was in response to its own declining pay-per-view numbers,while also maintaining its own streaming network, hopefully, this along with Netflix's involvement in Boxing, will finally break the wall of resistance of those promoters and network that have continued to insist on pay-per-view that Boxing is officially out of excuses and the time has finally come for change. If Alvarez-Crawford turns in solid numbers in terms of viewership as expected and draws additional subscribers, with Netflix looking to continue their involvement in the sport, even better. 

If the fight turns out to be the true 50/50 encounter it appears to be on paper, ultimately this will likely be remembered akin to some of the classic encounters of the 1980’s where fights like this were regarded as true special occasions in the sport and the fights themselves are regarded and remembered fondly as all-time classics, which elevated Boxing to higher levels and drew interest from not only casual fans, but also folks who had never seen the sport before, which thus created new fans and helped grow the sport. As one who does not make predictions, this is a rare instance where I can not offer even a suggestion as to where things are leaning. For the first time in a good while, the aspect of the unknown that surrounds this fight has me excited to cover it and I cannot wait for round 1 to begin. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Alvarez vs. Crawford takes place on Saturday, September 13th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas,NV. The bout can be seen globally on digital subscription general entertainment network Netflix beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT and will be available to all Netflix subscribers at no additional cost. At 5:30PM ET/2:30PM PT preliminary bouts will be streamed on both the UFC and WWE YouTube channels before the main card gets underway on Netflix at the aforementioned start times. (*North American Start Times Only*)

(" On Demand replay of full event will be available shortly after live broadcast.*

For more information about Netflix subscription pricing information in your region of the world and local start times for this special event in your area please visit: www.Netflix.com. 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved. 

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1 

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1 

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1     

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/beaudenison1.bsky.social 

COMBAT SPORTS VETERAN CHRIS AVILA VS. TAMPA’S UNDEFEATED ARIEL “GOLDEN HULK” PEREZ JOINS MAIN CARD OF MVP FIGHT NIGHT IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, AVAILABLE GLOBALLY ON DAZN

Press Release: August 9, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions - Chris Avila vs. Ariel Perez added to MVP Fight Night on Sat, Aug 23

ORLANDO, FL – August 8, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced that combat sports icon and Team Nate Diaz mainstay Chris Avila (6-1) vs. Tampa, Florida’s undefeated Ariel “Golden Hulk” Perez (7-0, 4 KOs) will join the company’s upcoming MVP Fight Night on Saturday, August 23 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Avila vs. Perez will be a 6-round light heavyweight bout at 175lbs to open the main card of MVP Fight Night, available globally on DAZN. 

The event, which will have MVP superstars Jake Paul and Amanda Serrano in attendance, will also feature 4 world and interim world championship bouts, a WBA eliminator, and WBA regional title as part of MVP’s first back-2-back weekend featuring over 20 fights. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.

Real Fight Inc.’s Chris Avila (6-1), a veteran of both the UFC and Bellator, who made a transition to boxing full time in 2021, has made the walk for 21 professional fights and has never been stopped or hurt during his time in the cage and ring. Avila is a staple at the iconic Nick Diaz Academy and Real Fight Inc. in Stockton, CA and a regular training partner of Nate Diaz. After making the full time transition to boxing, Avila beat Anthony Taylor in a super middleweight boxing match in December 2021 and boasted clean sweeps against “Dr. Mike” Varshavski in October 2022 and Paul Bamba in April 2023. He was in the feature bout on Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz in August 2023, where he swept Jeremy Stephens, winning by unanimous decision. He followed that up with wins over former UFC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis in Anaheim and Jake Bostwick in Nashville. Now the 32-year-old Avila returns to the ring to face local favorite and rising light heavyweight prospect Ariel Perez.

“I’m here to fight on Saturday, August 23,” said Chris Avila. “I’m coming to win, get the job done and beat this dude’s ass.”

Tampa’s undefeated Ariel “Golden Hulk” Perez (7-0, 4 KOs) will make his fourth Most Valuable Promotions appearance on Saturday, August 23, facing his biggest test to date in Avila. The 33-year-old rising prospect first appeared on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 6 in April 2024, soundly defeating Steven Motley by fourth round TKO. Following the performance, Perez returned to face Dane Guerrero on the preliminary card of MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry at Amalie Arena in July 2024, securing another big win by third-round knockout. He most recently earned his latest UD win over Mario Bedolla Orozco on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 12 in May 2025.  

“Avila is a guy who likes to do the talking, but we just show up and go to work,” said Ariel Perez. “We do our talking in the ring. He’s tough and it’s going to be a hell of a fight, but WE HIT DIFFERENT.”

“The addition of Chris Avila vs. Ariel ‘Golden Hulk’ Perez further elevates an already stacked MVP Fight Night card,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Both fighters have delivered on the MVP stage before, and now face off in what promises to be a statement bout—with Avila representing the notoriety of Team Diaz, and Perez looking to rise to the occasion in front of his home state. With Team Diaz in the building, the energy in Orlando will be on another level. Saturday, August 23 marks MVP’s biggest non-Jake and Amanda event to date, featuring four WBA world and interim world title bouts, a WBA eliminator, and much more—all live globally on DAZN as part of our first MVP back-2-back weekend.”

MVP Fight Night will be headlined by MVP’s Puerto Rican Olympian and #1 WBA contender Yankiel Rivera (7-0, 3 KOs) vs. Angelino “Huracan” Cordova (19-0-1, 12 KOs) in a 12-round bout at 112 lbs for the WBA interim flyweight world title. The co-main event will feature WBA interim world champion Yoenis “El Bandolero” Tellez (10-0, 7 KOs) vs. #1 WBA contender and European super welterweight champion Abass Baraou (16-1, 9 KOs) in a 12-round WBA interim super welterweight world title fight at 154 lbs. Also on the main card, MVP’s new signee, WBA lightweight world champion Stephanie Han (10-0, 3 KOs), will defend her title in a 10-round women’s championship bout at 135lbs against 24-year-old Paulina Angel (7-1-2, 3 KOs), MVP’s undefeated #5-ranked WBA, #6-ranked IBF, #12-ranked WBC, and #14-ranked WBO lightweight contender with the most-awarded knockout of 2024, Canadian “Prince” Lucas Bahdi (19-0, 15 KOs) will face former WBA world champion Roger “The Kid” Gutierrez (29-6-1, 22 KOs) in a 12-round WBA elimination lightweight bout at 135 lbs, the winner to become the mandatory challenger to WBA lightweight world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Rounding out the card will be a 10-round super lightweight bout at 140lbs between Puerto Rican standout Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (19-2-1, 9 KOs) vs. Calgary, Alberta, Canada’s powerhouse Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (39-8-2, 27 KOs) for the WBA Continental USA title. 

Most Valuable Prospects 14 on Friday, August 22, will precede the Saturday, August 23, MVP Fight Night as part of MVP’s first back-2-back weekend. Most Valuable Prospects 14 will be headlined by a 10-round featherweight bout at 126lbs between MVP’s top-15 WBA and WBO contender, Puerto Rican Puerto Rican National Team star Jan Paul Rivera (12-0, 6 KOs) vs. Miami, Florida’s Daniel Bailey (15-2, 8 KOs). Most Valuable Prospects 14 will be available globally for free on both DAZN.com and the DAZN app with no subscription required. Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 14 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.

MVP Fight Night is produced and marketed by MVP, promoted by MVP and Boxlab Promotions, and distributed globally by DAZN. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drinks, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP. Fansly, TORKLAW, and Event Ticket Center will also sponsor the event.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS BACK-2-BACK EVENTS IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Press Release: July 22, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions - ORLANDO, FL – July 22, 2025 – Today, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced that Most Valuable Prospects 14 will return on Friday, August 22 ahead of MVP Fight Night on Saturday, August 23, as part of MVP’s back-2-back events at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Most Valuable Prospects 14 will be available globally for free on both DAZN.com and the DAZN app with no subscription required. Headlining Most Valuable Prospects 14 will be a 10-round featherweight bout at 126lbs between MVP’s top-15 WBA and WBO contender, Puerto Rican Puerto Rican National Team star Jan Paul Rivera (12-0, 6 KOs) vs. Miami, Florida’s Daniel Bailey (15-2, 8 KOs). In the co-main event, returning series favorite and Orlando, Florida’s own 24-year-old Corey Marksman (11-0-1, 8 KOs) will face Isabella, Puerto Rico’s 28-year old Luis “Bebo” Martinez (9-1, 4 KOs) in a 10 round lightweight bout at 135lbs. Also on the main card, 27-year-old Cuban middleweight Yoelvis Gomez (8-1, 7 KOs) will square off against Haiti’s 24-year-old Edwine Humaine (9-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round bout at 160lbs in the middleweight division.

Headlining the preliminary card will be Fort Lauderdale, FL’s undefeated 28-year old Tayre Jones (13-0, 7 KOs) vs. St. Cloud, Florida’s 24-year-old Puerto Rican talent Alex Rios (9-2, 3 KOs) in an 8-round bout at 140lbs in the super lightweight division. Also joining the preliminary card will be MVP’s 26-year-old undefeated Nigerian featherweight and IBF #1 contender Elizabeth Oshoba (9-0, 5 KOs) making her promotional debut vs. Springs, TX fighter Melissa Oddessa Parker (6-3-1, 2 KOs) in an 8-round bout at 126lbs. Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 14 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.

Headlining Most Valuable Prospects 14 will be MVP’s top-15 WBA and WBO contender, Puerto Rican Puerto Rican National Team star Jan Paul Rivera (12-0, 6 KOs) vs. Daniel Bailey (15-2, 8 KOs). Rivera, the 24-year-old featherweight prospect from Salinas, Puerto Rico, was a decorated member of the Puerto Rican national boxing team as an amateur, competing in over 200 bouts. His amateur accolades include winning two straight Puerto Rico Elite National Championships in 2020 and 2021, as well as the Puerto Rico Youth National Championships in 2018 and 2019. He also earned a silver medal at the AIBA Youth World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in 2018. Across his 10-fight professional career to date, Rivera has competed across the USA, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Colombia, furthering his aspirations to become a global star in the sport. He recently took home a knockout win over then-8-0 Justin Goodson in the main event of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 7  defeated Andy Beltran by unanimous decision in the main event of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 9 in October 2024, and earned a UD win over Alexis Eduardo Molina Jimenez in April 2024. His opponent, Daniel Bailey, is a 29-year-old contender from Miami, Florida. Bailey most recently earned back-to-back KO wins in 2024.

In the co-main event will be 24-year-old Florida native Corey “2Smoove” Marksman (11-0-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout at 135 lbs. The talented prospect made a name for himself in his first major PPV appearance on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry main card in July 2024 in a rematch against Tony Aguilar. The pair’s first meeting resulted in a well-fought split decision draw, contested during MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 5 in February 2024. In the rematch, Marksman impressed, taking home a majority decision win. He most recently delivered a ferocious TKO of then-undefeated powerhouse Tayden Beltran in the co-main event of Most Valuable Prospects 12 in May 2025. He now takes on 28-year old Luis “Bebo” Martinez (9-1, 4 KOs). Martinez comes to the ring from Isabella, Puerto Rico by way of Aguadilla, PR boasting a current 3-bout win streak, including his most recent second-round KO win over Carlos Manuel Portillo in February 2025. 

Also on the main card of Most Valuable Prospects 14, 27-year-old middleweight Yoelvis Gomez (8-1, 7 KOs) will take on the challenge of Haiti’s 24-year-old Edwine Humaine (9-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight bout at 160lbs. Gomez comes to the ring from Havana, Cuba by way of Las Vegas, Nevada. Gomez began his pro career with five straight knockout wins and most recently has delivered two sensational performances earning him a 6th round TKO win in June 2024 and a 4th round KO win following his opponent retiring in September 2024. Now, he looks to test himself against a fellow young prospect in Edwine Humaine. Humaine comes to the ring from Springfield, Massachusetts by way of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and looks to establish himself in the middleweight division with a win over promising prospect Gomez.

Headlining the preliminary card will be undefeated 28-year old Tayre Jones (13-0, 7 KOs) vs. 24-year-old Puerto Rican talent Alex Rios (9-2, 3 KOs) in an 8-round super lightweight bout at 140lbs. Jones comes to the ring from Fort Lauderdale, Florida fresh from his latest KO win in February 2025, and will make his Most Valuable Prospects debut, while Rios returns to the series for his fourth appearance. Rios, who comes to the ring from St. Cloud, Florida by way of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, most recently earned a unanimous decision over Felix Santana Jr. in November 2024.

Also on the preliminary card, IBF #1 contender and MVP’s Nigerian featherweight signee Elizabeth Oshoba (9-0, 5 KOs) will make her promotional debut over 8 rounds at 126lbs vs. Melissa Oddessa Parker (6-3-1, 2 KOs). Oshoba, the undefeated 26-year-old, grew up in a challenging neighborhood in Lagos, inspired by her older brother in the Nigerian Army to become tough and succeed despite all odds. She began boxing at age 13, quickly distinguishing herself with a relentless work ethic and powerful punches, the start of a decorated amateur career with over 70 fights, including becoming a 6x Nigerian national amateur champion, a bronze medal at the 2019 All African Games, a gold at the 2020 African Zone 3 Championships, and winning silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Oshoba relocated to the UK to make her pro debut in September 2022 and has maintained an unblemished record since. In November 2023, she clinched the IBO female super featherweight title, defeating Martina Reighi via unanimous decision. In January 2024, Oshaba made history with a dominant performance against Italy’s Michela Braga, winning by 10th round knockout to become Nigeria’s first female world title holder and the WBC Silver featherweight champion. She has continued to build her undefeated record, most recently defeating Agustina Rojas in June 2024 and Lenka Volejnikova in March 2025. Outside the ring, Oshoba balances academic commitments with her deep commitment to mentoring young female boxers in Nigeria, providing support and guidance to aspiring athletes and aiming to inspire and cultivate the next generation of champions. She is managed by Lee Eaton. Her opponent, Melissa Odessa Parker, comes to the ring from Springs, Texas looking to halt Oshoba’s rise. Parker most recently contested for the North American Boxing Federation featherweight title against Hannah Noelle Rapp, fighting to a split decision draw in March 2025.

“Most Valuable Prospects 14 will kick off our first ever back-2-back events with Most Valuable Prospects 14 MVP on Friday, August 22, followed by MVP Fight Night on Saturday, August 23, and we’re thrilled to showcase another stacked lineup of MVP talent,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of MVP. “Jan Paul Rivera continues to climb the ranks as one of Puerto Rico’s next big stars, and we’re introducing the world to Nigeria’s Elizabeth Oshoba–who has the knockout power to put the entire 126lb division on notice–as she makes her MVP debut. Thank you to Boxlab Promotions and DAZN for their continued support to bring these cards to fans in Orlando at the Caribe Royale and around the world.”

“Caribe Royale is once again pleased to partner with Most Valuable Promotions on this 14th installment of the Most Valuable Prospects series,” said Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions and Managing Director of the Caribe Royale Resort. “What started close to three years ago has blossomed into the premier showcase for up and coming talent in boxing! This card is no exception, with young stars showing off their talents for the viewing audience at home and the Central Florida fans that have come to expect these great events!”

Most Valuable Prospects 14 on Friday, August 22 will precede the Saturday, August 23 MVP Fight Night headlined by MVP’s Puerto Rican Olympian and the WBA’s #1 ranked flyweight contender Yankiel “El Doctorcito” Rivera (7-0, 3 KOs) vs. WBO international flyweight titleholder Angelino “Huracan” Cordova (19-0-1, 12 KOs) in a 12-round bout at 112 lbs for the WBA interim flyweight world title. MVP Fight Night will stream live globally as part of the DAZN subscription package. Tickets for MVP Fight Night are also on sale now at Ticketmaster.

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP, promoted by MVP and Boxlab Promotions, and distributed globally by DAZN. The 14th event in the series, hosted by the Caribe Royale Resort, will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly, TORKLAW, and Event Tickets Center have also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects series.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize returns for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Usyk-Dubois 2/Barrios-Pacquiao July 19th PPV Events Now Available For Purchase

Two Boxing pay-per-view events scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 19th are now available for preorder for those looking to purchase either event individually or to purchase both events.

WBC Welterweight world champion Mario Barrios will defend his title against recent inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame  and former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, who will be attempting a comeback at age forty-six . Barrios vs. Pacquiao, which will headline a pay-per-view card promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions group of promoters from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV is now available for purchase on Prime Video for $79.95 and can be purchased either through the Prime Video app on mobile, tablet ,connected streaming devices/Smart TVs, or by clicking the following link: Barrios vs. Pacquiao. (*North American Price Only* Consult Prime Video for local pricing information local start times, and availability around the world.) The latest edition of the documentary style program Gloves Off: Barrios-Pavquiao/Fundora-Tszyu 2 is also available on Prime Video and is included with a Prime Video subscription.

Also on July 19th is the Heavyweight unification grudge rematch for the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world between current world champions Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Duvois, which will be taking place at the legendary Wembley Stadium in London, England. The fight, which will headline a pay-per-view card that will be broadcast globally on DAZN Pay-PerView for $59.99. The event can be purchased exclusively on www.DAZN.com and be accessible on the DAZN streaming app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices and Smart TVs. (*North American Price Only* Consult DAZN for local pricing on your region of the world, local start times, and availability.)

We will have post-fight coverage of these events here on The Boxing Truth ® ️ scheduled for the week of July 26th and will update readers here on the website on when the feature covering both events will be scheduled in terms of the exact day of release once it is firmly scheduled. Stay Tuned.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved. 

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1 

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1 

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1    

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/beaudenison1.bsky.social 

Belated: Wilder Successfully Starts Rebuilding Process/Paul Has A Workout For Eight Rounds Then A Fight Starts

The final weekend of June 2025 in the sport of Boxing was highlighted by two events that for different reasons drew significant interest. First on June 27th, it was the return of former WBC World Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in Wichita, KS as he faced veteran Tyrell Hearndon in a fight scheduled for ten rounds. In the interest of full disclosure with the reader, this fight, which was broadcast worldwide by digital subscription streaming entertainment platform BLKPrime, was riddled with technical issues, which unfortunately necessitated a delay in this column’s release due to this observer being unable to access the broadcast. While this unfortunately is not the first time that the upstart network/platform has had issues broadcasting their Boxing events after initially making a splash upon its entry into the sport just a few years ago, I felt it important to state not only why there was a delay in this column’s release, but also to illustrate that much like several folks who reached out to yours truly across social media platforms as this fight took place to share their experiences with me, those of us who cover the sport, are at times in the same boat as a fan might be when it comes to technical issues that can befuddle a broadcaster/network’s ability to successfully air events. Although the issues, which seem to be an ongoing problem with regard to BLKPrime, as the network has seen several starts and stops since their initial entry into the sport, is likely worthy of a column of its own, it is not a subject I want to spend too much time on at the present time. 

The delay for yours truly notwithstanding, as well as the justifiable frustration amongst fans who tried to tune in on fight night, it was a fight that symbolized what could be a new beginning for the former World Heavyweight champion in Wilder, who was looking for his first win since a first round knockout of Robert Helenius in October 2022 and was coming off two losses, the most recent a brutal knockout loss at the hands of Zhilei Zhang in June of last year. 

If one is honest, they would say first that this fight was designed for Wilder to have an edge with the goal of trying to restore confidence after those two setbacks,but quite frankly, this was likely also used as an evaluation of sorts by Wilder and his team to see what he has left. Although the knockout at the hands of Zhang was the most recent setback, one needs to keep in mind that Wilder has sustained punishment throughout his career, most notably in his trilogy with Tyson Fury in which Fury, who also suffered punishment over the three encounters, was able to score two knockout wins. After openly questioning whether Wilder’s career had come to an end after the loss to Zhang in a fight where he looked lethargic and was dominated by Zhang before being knocked out in the fifth round, I did not know what to expect going into this fight.

 In 30 years of writing about combat sports with Boxing as my primary, this observer has covered and written about countless fighters who I felt had come to a point where their best days were behind them. I often hesitate to use the term “Shot Fighter" when such situations occur because there are occasions where, despite how a fighter might look in one fight or over a stretch of several bouts where the results indicate a decline, some fighters are able to bounce back. Though I approached this fight with an open mind, I would be lying if I said I felt that the answer would be established in one fight as to whether Wilder could be one of those fighters to do so. 

The reason for this is his opponent Tyrell Hearndon, a veteran of twenty-nine professional bouts leading up to this fight had a decent record in earning twenty-four wins, but those victories came against relatively unknown opposition and seemingly any time Hearndon attempted to step up in competition, he has come up short. Perhaps another reason I felt that an answer regarding Wilder would not necessarily come in this fight was the knowledge that Wilder is among the most devastating punchers in Boxing history with a near perfect career knockout percentage. Unless Hearndon were able to provide what some would call an unlikely test out of the gate, it would be difficult to surmise where Wilder was at given that he had forty-two knockouts in his forty-three career wins and had the capability to end a fight at any moment.

There was one thing, however, that stood out to me when the fight began. To sum it up in a word, “Patience." The patience of Deontay Wilder. Despite his devastating punching power, Wilder has never been known as the most technical fighter and there have been times throughout his career where he has relied on that power perhaps too much, with mixed results. As one who has covered Wilder since his Olympic days where he won a Bronze medal in 2008, this was the first time I can recall seeing Wilder in such a relaxed state in simply being patient. One aspect that was also new at least in terms of degree in which it was used was Wilder’s jab. From the outset Wilder worked behind his jab maintaining a distance with it where the conditions of combat were favorable to him. 

While there were times where Wilder would throw occasional wide, looping punches, he generally relied on his jab and kept Hearndon on the end of his jab. It was this approach by the former world champion that led to Wilder scoring a knockdown of Herndon with a short left hook to the head that countered him as he attempted to press forward. Although a short knockdown where he was able to catch his opponent off balance, this was not the power first type of approach that has been identifiable throughout Wilder’s career.

A calculated, measured approach that Wilder stayed consistent throughout this fight. As the fight progressed Wilder began also landing his trademark right hand, gradually breaking Herndon down, scoring a second knockdown in round six before ultimately getting a stoppage in the seventh round.

An impressive performance marked more by the approach to victory than the fact that Wilder gained his forty-third knockout in forty-four career wins. What is next remains to be seen, but the key will be for Wilder to stay active and continue not only rebuilding his standing in the Heavyweight division, but also continuing to polish and refine the more technical approach he implemented in this fight, which could make him even more of a threat to the upper echelon of the division if he continues to win and gets back in contention.

This leads us to the second half of this column, a look at the Cruiserweight bout that took place in Anaheim, CA on June 28th that saw social media influencer turned aspiring boxer Jake Paul meet former WBC Middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. in a scheduled ten round bout, which was seen worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View. Those who have read this observer’s previous coverage of Jake Paul’s career up to this point know that I have openly questioned whether one can establish not only a legitimate Boxing career, but more specifically, get into position to challenge for a world championship by taking an unconventional route by fighting either people with little to no Boxing experience such as fellow influencers, or athletes from other sports such as basketball or the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, or as recently as last November when Paul scored a victory over a 58 year old Hall of Famer in Mike Tyson, who had not competed in an official fight in twenty years prior to that event, and not by facing fighters who are working their way up towards prospect/contender status with an eye towards fighting for a world championship. 

Much as was the case prior to his sharing the ring with Tyson, there was criticism of this bout primarily because Chavez though in his 40’s was years removed from competitive action and was only competing for the second time at Cruiserweight following a return to the ring last year after being off for nearly three years. What resulted did not quell the criticism.

For eight rounds of the scheduled ten, Paul faced little resistance from Chavez, who chose to sporadically throw any punches and to be frank, moved around the ring with his guard up to more or less serve as a moving heavy bag as Paul put round after round in the bank. It was only towards the end of round eight and into the final two rounds that Chavez began to open up and to his credit put pressure on Paul and was able to connect more than occasionally with a few solid punches. To Paul's credit he withstood the blows well and held on for a convincing ten round unanimous decision victory.

Quite frankly, there is not much one can write or analyze about a fight that resembles a workout or a light sparring session for 80% of the fight. Paul, however, did what he had to do and has been officially added to the World Boxing Association's  Cruiserweight rankings at number fourteen. While that will open both the WBA and Paul to more criticism and keeping in mind that regardless of what one might think of Paul as a fighter at this stage, he has proven to be a solid promoter within the sport. Having said this, the period of these type of curiosity events has passed and if Paul wants to finally silence the criticism, he needs to fight fighters who are at or near him in the rankings. If he can continue to win and work his way up either through the WBA or through another sanctioning organization, the criticism will stop and he will earn the respect of even the most jaded amongst Boxing fans, experts and those of us who cover the sport, but it is time for the standards of the sport in which fighters get into position to fight for a world title to be respected. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

UPDATE: While this column was in preparation for publication, it was reported by various news outlets including ABC News here in the United States that Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. was arrested by federal authorities in the days following his loss to Jake Paul.and is facing several criminal charges and deportation to his native Mexico. Chavez and his team have denied any wrongdoing. For more detailed information about this ongoing story refer to ABC News at the following link.

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison      

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1      

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1    

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1 

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/beaudenison1.bsky.social 

Paul-Chavez Preview

It seems as though it has become an annual tradition of sorts when social media influencer turned aspiring boxer Jake Paul is preparing to step back into the Boxing ring. Despite taking an unconventional route towards his stated goal of becoming a world champion, by fighting either folks with little or no Boxing experience or fighters who are long past their prime, rather than working his way up the ladder of prospects and contenders to get into a position where he could challenge for a world title, the one thing that is indisputable is whenever Paul steps into the ring, it becomes an event. This was proven in November of last year when the Cruiserweight boxer moved to Heavyweight to share the ring for eight rounds with former two-time Heavyweight world champion and Hall of Famer Mike Tyson. An event that marked streaming giant Netflix's entry into the sport of Boxing.

Despite the fact that Tyson, was fifty-eight years old and a shell of what he was when he was an active fighter, for better or worse, the bout proved to be a success for Netflix, despite technical issues with the live broadcast of the event, as it looks to increase its involvement in Boxing with two major events scheduled in the coming weeks and months, as well as a financial success in selling it the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium.

In reality, however, sharing the ring with a legend who was in no realistic position to compete and if one were honest, probably should not have been in the ring both due to his age as well as being retired for nearly twenty years since his last competitive fight, did little to quell the criticism of Paul and the victory over a shell of a once great fighter did not move him any closer to that goal of fighting for a world championship, and frankly it would be a travesty if it had.

Now Paul prepares to return to the ring on Saturday, June 28th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA as he will face former WBC Middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. in a fight that can be seen worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View. While this is a similar scenario as Paul's last outing in that he is facing a boxer with name recognition value and a former world champion that is past his prime, has not been as active as one would expect of a competitive fighter trying to work his way back into contention, the one thing that makes this a little difference is Chavez is nearing his fortieth birthday, and at least in theory, should be closer to what he was when he was competing regularly at least in terms of age.

In his last outing, Chavez scored a six round decision over former MMA fighter Uriah Hall on the undercard of Paul’s fight against Mike Perry in July of last year. Although Chavez did what was expected and scored a victory over a novice boxer, some may have expected him to be more convincing in a fight where he looked sluggish at times, which was attributable to inactivity. Immediately after defeating Hall, the seeds were planted for Chavez as a potential opponent for Paul following the Tyson event. In this aspect, it is not a surprise that Chavez will now be the opponent as Paul seems intent on continuing to forge an unconventional path towards what he hopes will lead to a shot at a world championship.

Despite the fact that Chavez is significantly closer to his athletic prime than what Tyson was, and keeping in mind that like Tyson, he has significantly more experience than Paul as a world-class boxer, this is another scenario where Paul will be facing someone with name recognition clout, but not one that is currently ranked and one would be justified to wonder whether a win for Paul will be enough to place him in the rankings of the Cruiserweight division even though he has yet to face a ranked boxer in any of the respective sanctioning organizations rankings.

This fact will likely mean regardless of what happens in the ring, criticism of Paul will continue win or lose. Meanwhile, for Chavez, if he has approached this fight seriously, which became an issue for him throughout his career, lead to some setbacks, and stretches of inactivity, this could for better or worse and for lack of a better term, serve as a way to reboot his career and try to use a victory here to try and get one more opportunity at a world championship at an advanced stage of his career.

Frankly, we will have to wait and see whether this is a fight or as was the case last November, more of an event rooted in the curiosity of the casual sports fan than the expectation and anticipation of a competitive fight. For the moment, this observer cannot give an answer.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.*

Paul vs. Chavez takes place on Saturday, June 28th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View for $59.99. The card will begin with preliminary bouts at 3PM ET/12PM PT. This will be followed by the main pay-per-view card, which will begin at 8PM ET/5PM PT.

(*North American Price Points and Start Times Only. Card and Start Times Subject to Change.*)

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, Availability around the world, local start times in your area, region-specific pricing, to subscribe, and purchase this pay-per-view event please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison      

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1      

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1   

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1  

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/beaudenison1.bsky.social 

Belated Most Valuable Prospects 13 Results From Orlando, FL

Credit: Joseph Correa/Most Valuable Promotions 

Press Release: June 9, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions-

ORLANDO, FL – June 7, 2025 – Brazil’s IBF lightweight world champion Beatriz “The Beast” Ferreira (6-0, 2 KOs) defended her title and lived up to her fearsome nickname in a clinical, dominant performance against 28-year-old Buenos Aires challenger Maria Ines “Dinamita” Ferreyra (11-1-1, 6 KOs) in the main event of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 13 Championship Edition, presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy. The 10-round women’s world title bout at 135 lbs aired free globally on DAZN.com, the DAZN app, and Whindersson Nunes’ YouTube channel live from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. From the opening bell, Ferreira overwhelmed Ferreyra with elite footwork, pinpoint accuracy, and relentless pressure, showcasing her class and control over every round. Ferreyra showed heart but struggled to find any consistent rhythm as Ferreira methodically picked her apart en route to a unanimous decision win (99-91 x2, 98-92). After the final bell, Ferreira seized the spotlight by calling out WBA lightweight world champion Stephanie Han, who was seated ringside. Han climbed into the ring, accepted the challenge on the spot, and the two champions squared off in a charged face-to-face moment, setting the stage for a massive unification clash.

In the co-main event, Luan Medeiros (6-0, 4 KOs), the Brazilian national champion, successfully defended his unblemished record against Tony Aguilar (13-2-1, 4 KOs) of Crescent City, Florida, in an 8-round lightweight clash at 135 lbs. Medeiros took control early, pressing the action with heavy, precise shots that kept Aguilar on the back foot. Aguilar showed resilience and composure, hanging tough into the later rounds and trying to mount a comeback. Medeiros was deducted a point in round 6 after repeated warnings, but the penalty didn’t slow his momentum. He continued to dominate exchanges, earning a unanimous decision win (77-74, 78-73 x2). In his post-fight interview with Sibley Scoles, Medeiros proudly spoke about his championship ambitions and representing Brazil on the world stage.

On the main card, Bree “Bam Bam” Howling (8-1, 2 KOs), the WBA’s #5-ranked bantamweight, went toe-to-toe with fellow undefeated prospect Naomy “Kusa” Cardenas (9-0, 2 KOs) in an explosive 8-round bout at 118 lbs. Both fighters came out firing from the opening bell, engaging in a slugfest that had the crowd on its feet as they traded heavy shots in a thrilling first round. Howling stood her ground and looked to dictate the tempo, but Cardenas’ sharper combinations and ring control ultimately gave her the edge. After eight hard-fought rounds, Cardenas remained unbeaten, earning a split decision victory (79-73, 77-75, and 77-75 for Howling).

Opening the main card, Kissimmee’s own Antraveous Ingram (11-0, 5 KOs) thrilled the hometown crowd with a commanding performance against Saint Paul’s Sona Akale (9-3, 4 KOs) in a 6-round super welterweight clash at 154 lbs. The 26-year-old local standout used his 6′1″ frame and reach advantage to dictate the pace from the opening bell, consistently breaking through Akale’s guard and landing the cleaner, more effective shots. Ingram controlled the action from start to finish, earning a unanimous decision victory (60-54 x2, 58-56) to remain unbeaten.

In the preliminary card headliner, undefeated 22-year-old Reina Tellez (12-0-1, 5 KOs) faced off against Saltillo, Mexico’s veteran warrior Maria “Polvorita” Salinas (27-12-6, 7 KOs) in an 8-round super bantamweight bout at 124 lbs. The early rounds were closely contested, with Salinas showing grit as she absorbed heavy combinations from Tellez. But as the fight wore on, Tellez’s relentless pace and sharp offense overwhelmed the seasoned Salinas. After eight rounds of high-tempo action, Tellez earned a clear unanimous decision win (80-72 x2, 79-73), further cementing her status as one of boxing’s most promising young super bantamweight talents.

MVP’s 3x U.S. National Boxing Champion and high-fashion model Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro (5-0, 5 KOs) made a commanding return to the Most Valuable Prospects series, delivering another spectacular performance against Davenport, Iowa’s Daijohn Gonzalez (12-7, 6 KOs) in a scheduled 6-round middleweight bout at 163 lbs. From the opening bell, Chaparro controlled the pace with precision and poise, breaking down Gonzalez with sharp combinations and relentless pressure. His dominance culminated in the fourth round, when he unleashed a vicious and explosive barrage of punches that dropped Gonzalez and sealed a highlight-reel KO at 1:39. The statement win underscored Chaparro’s superstar potential and perfect knockout record.

Also on the preliminary card, undefeated 20-year-old middleweight Sebastian Juarez (8-0, 6 KOs) overwhelmed Gadsden, Alabama’s Shaquille Cameron (7-5, 6 KOs) from the opening bell, delivering a relentless early assault that led to a third-round TKO and preserved his perfect record. Kicking off the night, Boxlab Promotions’ unbeaten super bantamweight Chavez Barrientes (11-0, 6 KOs) earned a dominant unanimous decision victory (80-71x2, 79-72) over Saint Louis’ Sharone “Smoke” Carter (14-12-1, 3 KOs) in their 122-pound, 8-round bout.

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP, promoted by MVP and Boxlab Promotions, and distributed globally by DAZN. The 13th event in the series, hosted by the Caribe Royale Resort, will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drinks, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly, TorkLaw and Event Ticket Center have also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects series.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet, and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.

 Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions / Photo Courtesy of: Joseph Correa/ Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission. 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.